Chapter 735 - 109: Recognizing the Illusion Avatar Before the Verdant Cliff Mountain
As soon as Zhang Yan entered the array, he saw a vast and majestic landscape unfold before him. The clear blue sky and shimmering waters spanned on endlessly, while distant mountain ranges stretched out like a reclining beast resting on the earth’s surface, its spine rising and falling unpredictably. The highest peaks were veiled by cloud mist, ethereal and indistinct with unclear shapes.
Along the verdant ridges of the mountains, high pavilions and palaces adorned with golden glazed tiles dotted the terrain. The exquisite buildings twisted and rose upward along the mountain shape, leading straight to the summit.
He carefully counted and found eighteen mountain ridges in total, each converging toward the tallest peak.
He recalled mentions in the sect leader’s letter, which gave him some insight into the place’s origins. He was aware that this realm was a small boundary left behind from the once-great Yao Yin Mountain Sect, which flourished thousands of years ago.
In his heart, he mused, "Judging by the intact prohibitions here, there must be a site that harbors Earth Evil. If I can bring back a few veins to reinforce my cave mansion, I wouldn’t have to rely on the sect and be subject to others’ control anymore."
Unlike elixir pills, Earth Evil doesn’t deteriorate with age. No matter how perfect elixirs are preserved, their medicinal properties inevitably fade over time.
Yet Earth Evil is different. If it has been meticulously refined in the past, it can naturally evolve on its own. As long as the Earth Veins remain rich in spiritual energy, it will never run dry.
The trees here were dense and flourishing, thriving in abundance. Particularly, the undiminished forbidden arrays ensured that the Earth Evil that might remain wouldn’t dissipate easily.
Staring ahead at the magnificent palaces, Zhang Yan’s eyes gleamed faintly. Even the Mingcang Sect possessed very few Earth Evils that had been passed down through millennia.
Earlier, he had obtained a Land Continent from the Su Family, which contained several Earth Evil Spirit Veins. However, the top-tier veins had long been claimed by the sect’s mountain gate, and even the remaining ones couldn’t match the veins granted by True Master Peng. Hence, they weren’t to his satisfaction. Seeing this place now, he couldn’t help but entertain thoughts of acquiring more.
His gaze swept across the palaces’ general layout, noting that there were at least a hundred of them. Unsure of where the Earth Evil veins were hidden, he decided to proceed cautiously along the paths of the mountain, taking one step at a time.
At this moment, numerous disciples emerged from within the array gate, appearing at the base of the mountain.
Among them, several individuals exuded an air of arrogance and self-importance. Judging by their attire and the immortal beasts they rode, Zhang Yan quickly identified them as disciples of the Nanhua Sect.
Zhang Yan deliberately avoided the group, transforming into a light mist that rose and drifted toward a secluded area.
Reaching the entrance of a mountain path, he lifted his eyes and noticed a solitary figure gliding along the mountain ridge. After a brief thought, he deduced that the mountain was likely enveloped by prohibitions, preventing anyone from soaring directly to the summit, thus necessitating such deliberate movements.
After observing for a brief moment, he flicked his sleeve and ascended into the air toward the path.
Neither hurriedly nor sluggishly, Zhang Yan flew along the mountain trail for what seemed like a quarter of an hour before he saw the path ahead winding and twisting. Suddenly, a rugged stone staircase appeared leading to a grand and imposing palace. The figures from earlier had already disappeared.
After some contemplation, he also lowered himself to the ground and entered the great hall. Inside, the palace was supported by grand gold copper pillars carved with mysterious patterns and exotic beasts. The floor was paved with jade bricks, untouched by dust, suggesting that the forbidden array remained intact.
At the center of the hall stood a three-zhang-high stele, surrounded by over ten cultivators dressed in various attires, pointing and discussing fervently.
Someone spoke in a loud voice, "Fellow Daoists, the prohibitions within this hall are exceedingly complex. Breaking through them by force would be dangerous. Earlier, a few Daoists recklessly attempted it, only to be injured by the array and forced to retreat. One was particularly unlucky and became trapped within."
Another person chimed in, "I just saw a Shaoqing Sect cultivator on another mountain path. With one slash of his sword, he opened up a way forward. But when others tried, the array immediately resumed without delay, and no one else could pass through. In my opinion, we should wait here for others to join us and see if we can work together to break the prohibition."
Zhang Yan thought to himself, "I didn’t expect members of the Shaoqing Sect to be here as well. Knowing the Shaoqing Sect’s disciples, their focus remains solely on swordsmanship, and they likely aren’t here for treasures left by ancestors. They are most likely here to seek opponents to hone their blades."
The person who first spoke let out a bitter laugh and said, "Shaoqing is the foremost great sect in the Xuanmen. Their disciples always carry excellent Dharma Treasures by their side. We lesser sects simply can’t compare. Besides, when that senior brother broke through with his sword, the array slowed for only an instant before reactivating. Only one person passed through, and the others couldn’t follow. In my view, it’s better to wait here for more Daoists to arrive and attempt to break the prohibition together."
The group had previously tried working together but came up just short. At present, they had no better solutions, so no one opposed the suggestion. They withdrew to the sides of the hall. Some sat idly, while others roamed about, knocking and tapping, hoping to uncover treasures hidden within.